David Davis quits as Brexit Secretary in major blow to May

Davis was the front-runner in the 2005 Conservative Party leadership contest, but lost out to David Cameron, shedding momentum after a party conference speech fell flat.

"The general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position and possible an inescapable one", he wrote, adding: "The inevitable outcome of the proposed policies will be to make the supposed control by Parliament illusory rather than real".

"Outside of the EU, Britain will be nimbler, more open to innovation and technological change, at the same time as driving up global standards", he wrote.

Yet after reflecting on the situation, Mr Davis and Mr Baker apparently decided they could not live with such a soft Brexit after all.

Davis argued that this type of "soft Brexit approach" would leave the United Kingdom parliament in "at best a weak negotiating position".

In her reply, Mrs May told him: "I do not agree with your characterisation of the policy we agreed on at Cabinet on Friday".

After many months of rumours that he would pull the plug, David Davis has actually quit as Brexit Secretary. At the summit there were reportedly taxi business cards left in the foyer for ministers who, if they disagreed, would have to either get a taxi or walk home.

In a blow to the beleaguered prime minister, Davis told May in a letter that the government's proposals for close trade and customs ties "will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one".

On Monday, May is due to brief lawmakers on the plan agreed by the Cabinet during its 12-hour meeting. Some lawmakers have already expressed their misgivings.

Since Friday, several more Conservative MPs were said to have added their names to a list supporting a vote of no confidence, although No 10 insiders have indicated May would fight any challenge and the numbers looked to be in her favour.

Asked if the prime minister could survive. Simply, if the Prime Minister can not unite her Cabinet and convince them over the Brexit negotiations, she has no chance of getting the European Union to agree to the terms. But pro-Brexit Conservative MPs called the proposal the "worst of all worlds".

"While I have been grateful to you for the opportunity to serve, it is with great regret that I tender my resignation from the Cabinet with immediate effect".

Mr Davis's resignation will anger cabinet colleagues from both wings of the party.

"We achieved all of the things that we campaigned for in order to ensure we could leave the European Union, but we also do so in a way which respects some of the wishes and some of the concerns of some of my colleagues that voted remain". Remainers will be angry that the apparent agreement that came from Chequers has been trashed, while Leavers who had to swallow their own opposition to the proposal will feel betrayed.

May's office said a replacement for Davis would be announced Monday.

On the worldwide markets, sterling slipped by a third of a cent against the dollar to $1.3288 in early trading.

Share

Related Articles

Prices have risen as a result of Washington's plans to reimpose sanctions against Iran, OPEC's No. 3 producer , analysts said . Brent crude futures fell 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $77.14 per barrel by 0317 GMT from their last close.

The centre-left Social Democrats , another partner in the coalition, must also accept the deal along with neighbouring Austria. She expressed the wish to continue working together with the CSU but did not refer specifically to Seehofer.

"Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this", Trump wrote . The prospect of more EPA rollbacks even after Pruitt is gone is "really, really worrisome to me", he said.

Brazil forward Neymar came into the tournament lacking fitness following a foot injury and scored once during three group games. Possession football appears to be a relic, ready for a display case in football's version of the Hermitage museum.

Coach Tite insists his talisman is now approaching his best form again, four months after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot. Belgium and Japan have met once before at the World Cup finals when Japan were hosts in 2002.

Walmart is facing backlash for selling "Impeach 45" apparel on its website, leading to a #BoycottWalmart trend on social media. USA retail giant Walmart has removed anti-Trump merchandise following online boycott threats from the president's supporters.

RCS is supposed to improve texting by adding features like group chat, video and GIF support and file and location sharing. The only way people know this is happening, is once they receive a response from the recipient of the message sent.

It's President Donald Trump's second year in the oval office and the second time he'll be naming a Supreme Court nominee. Nelson opposed Gorsuch a year ago , but he remained on the fence almost two months before making that decision.

Their build-up play was sloppy, with the best effort falling to Remo Freuler with a late header that was saved by Robin Olsen . Ola Toivonen missed the free-kick, but it was the last kick of the match as Sweden booked their spot in the quarterfinal.

Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani stole the headlines with his brilliant two-goal performance in the round of 16 against Portugal . Belgium have already shown their attacking prowess, but they had to claw back from the brink of defeat against Japan in the R16.

Officials said they would remain on the fire overnight, also patrolling along Highway 26 and in the Greeley Heights subdivision. State fire crews are also still battling the Pawnee Fire in Lake County, which was 80 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.

Carmelo Anthony and the Thunder Reportedly Parting Ways
Despite his confidence, the 10-time All-Star posted career lows in scoring average and field goal percentage last season. He struggled during the Thunder's first-round playoff exit against the Jazz and expressed displeasure in his role.

Suarez - One man doesn´t make a team
Two-goal striker went down holding his right leg in an off-the-ball incident and was substituted with 16 minutes to go. We have already seen some of this with Edison Cavani and Kylian Mbappe's brace against their respected opponents.

Authorities Speed Up Efforts to Rescue Thai Youth in Cave
Officials cautioned Tuesday that the rescue could take "weeks or months" before the once-wayward group is removed from the cave. Experts say they could remain inside for weeks - or even months - as rescuers work out the safest option for their extraction.

India vs England, 1st T20I at Manchester
This is the first India-England clash of a long summer of India-England clashes, an opportunity to land an early punch or two. Talking about the team combinations, Kohli said that the batting order is going to be flexible and not "one-dimensional".

Tour organizers don't want Froome on starting line
Technically, while Froome awaits the result of an ongoing investigation into his Salbutamol case , he can still ride on the Tour. Team Sky has responded, saying: "We are confident that Chris will be riding the Tour as we know he has done nothing wrong".

Political star Ocasio-Cortez appears on TV's 'The View'
Responding to a critic on Twitter who insinuated that Yorktown Heights is nicer than the Bronx, Ocasio-Cortez said : "It is nice". But Cardillo's argument-echoed by places like the Daily Mail-misses something fundamental about Ocasio-Cortez's message.

Thibaut Courtois puts Real Madrid on red alert
Real Madrid are strongly linked with the Chelsea goalkeeper and the family factor may play a big role in determining his future . Eden Hazard looks set to leave the club in search of Champions League football, with Real Madrid his most likely destination.

DeMarcus Cousins signs with Warriors
Sources say Cousins were pitching teams on one-year, $15 million deals while other teams were getting pitched on lesser deals. We also include 2 former Lakers in Brook Lopez and Julius Randle, who could be two cheap options to pair with LeBron.